Unsigned Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Yannick Ngakoue has been pretty vocal over the past few months about playing for another team in the near future. He reiterated that Tuesday afternoon when interviewed on ESPN’s “NFL Live.”
The 25-year-old defensive end also reiterated that the Jags dropped the ball last year with how they handled his contract discussions, which is a bulk of what’s fueling his current demands. He also used the opportunity to state that he’s looking to join a team that has a winning culture, which isn’t shocking when considering his competitive nature.
"I really wanna be a part of a team that has great culture and winning is a habit. I don't wanna be a part of a team where losing is a norm or anything like that."
Yannick Ngakoue, earlier today (via @espn)#Jaguars @FCN2go #DUUUVAL pic.twitter.com/xmMGNkQ54C
— Mia O'Brien (@MiaOBrienTV) April 7, 2020
With him looking to be amongst the highest-paid pass-rushers in the league, Ngakoue also explained what makes him so valuable as a pass-rusher as he’s a turnover causing machine that gives the offense more opportunities. Throughout his career, that’s certainly proven to be a fact as he will enter 2020 with 14 forced fumbles to his name.
Last week we spoke with NFL insider Ian Rapoport on the Jags’ situation with Ngakoue and he stated that he believes the Jags would like to keep Ngakoue because he’s a great player. However, with his mind seemingly set it appears the interest isn’t mutual, which is why both sides have made it to this point.
Right now I’d say his chances are higher to be traded than they are for him to be retained. With the draft coming up at the end of the month, it wouldn’t be a shocker if a team stepped to the plate and offered the Jags a first-round selection (maybe a late one) for him and maybe a 2020 selection in the top-3 rounds to sweeten the pot.